At the Sequana Group, a formal mentoring program has been in place since inception, reflecting our commitment to continuous improvement and development of all our people.
What sets our mentorship program apart is the ongoing, structured training delivered by our professional coaches, alongside dedicated support from our HR team throughout the entire journey. Regular check-ins, continuous coaching and ready access to experienced professionals ensure that both mentors and mentees are well supported and equipped to succeed.
This is further strengthened by practical tools and templates developed by our coaches, empowering mentees to set clear goals, stay focused and achieve meaningful outcomes. Together, these components reflect why our mentorship program is a source of pride, one that genuinely supports growth, connection and success.
As we mark International Mentoring Day, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the impact of our mentorship program through the lived experiences of our people. One of the Sequana Group’s recent mentor-mentee pairs, Group Chair, Mike Walsh and mentee, Project Manager, Misaki Nakamura shared their journey, offering a powerful reminder of why mentoring matters.
GIVING BACK THROUGH EXPERIENCE
For Mike, becoming a mentor is about giving back.
With almost 50 years of professional experience behind him, mentoring offers an opportunity to support others as they navigate their own career paths, sharing not just successes, but lessons learned along the way.
“It’s nice if you’ve had a long career to be able to talk to someone who’s growing theirs and help them with any sort of support they want.”
Mentorship at Sequana is guided by a people and performance development framework, but Mike emphasised that the heart of the process lies with the mentee. Conversations are shaped by what the mentee wants to achieve, making each partnership personal, flexible and meaningful.
Despite many sessions taking place remotely, the experience has been anything but transactional. Through open, conversational discussions, often about career decisions, challenges and even missteps, Mike has found mentoring to be deeply rewarding, stating, “It’s not all good, a lot of it is about what was tricky and what I could have done better. And that information can be really valuable.”
FINDING DIRECTION THROUGH MENTORSHIP
For Misaki, the mentorship program came at exactly the right time.
After relocating to Perth to help grow the Sequana brand, Misaki stepped into a new and exciting challenge, one that also came with uncertainty. Joining the mentorship program provided guidance, clarity and confidence during this transition.
“I was super excited about the opportunity, but I also knew it was something I would really need guidance on.”
Through regular conversations with Mike, Misaki was able to unpack what success looked like, not just for the business, but personally as well. Together, they worked through goal setting, expectations and practical approaches to navigating new responsibilities.
“My biggest takeaway was how powerful focused direction can be when you’re navigating a professional challenge.”
A CULTURE
Mentorship at Sequana isn’t just for early-career professionals. Whether you’re stepping into something new, navigating change or looking to share your experience with others, there’s value on both sides of the partnership.
Misaki’s advice to anyone considering joining is simple: be intentional.
“Know what you want to achieve, know what you’re unsure about, and be open about that.”
Mike echoes that sentiment, encouraging others to step into mentoring, even if just for six or twelve months.
“I cannot recommend it more highly.”
On this International Mentoring Day, we celebrate the conversations, connections and shared growth that mentoring makes possible at Sequana.
Because when we invest in each other, we all grow.
